A Tale of Sarees, Lehengas, and Salwar Suits

Indian clothing differs from place to place depending on the ethnicity, climate, and cultural traditions of the people of that particular region in the country.

Fragments of ancient Indian clothing was first seen as a part of the Indus Valley Civilisation, where figurines, rock cut sculptures, cave paintings, and human art forms found in temples and monuments were discovered wearing clothes which could be wrapped around the body. Like the saree and the dhoti, traditional Indian attires were mostly tied around the body in various ways.

The clothing system in India was such that it was also related to the social and economic status of a person. If someone belonged to the upper classes of the society, he/she wore fine muslin garments and silk fabrics, whereas the common man wore garments that were locally produced. The only evidences for fabrics and textile in the Indus Valley Civilisation are available from impressions from iconography and some unearthed Harappanfigurines which are usually unclothed.

During the period of 1960s and 1970s, when Western fashion too was grasping elements of Indian dress, Indian fashion in all its glory began to actively incorporate the features of the western dress instead. By the advent of the 21st century, both styles intermingled and further created a unique style of clothing that was perfectly fit for the typical urban Indian population.

With the birth of a new fashion trend, women started wearing clothing which was more comfortable. The exposure to international fashion led to the amalgamation of more western and Indian clothing styles. Today, if observed closely, we will see that even though western clothing continues to increase in popularity in city centers, the traditional bold colors and embroidery of the classic Indian attire still influences newer designs. Traditional Indian clothing is eminent again today.

Modern fashion today has managed to emulate the styling and designing of the ancient eras, when royalty used to spend extravagantly on their clothing.

Here, is an infographic, talking more about the Indian sarees online, salwar suit, and the lehenga. Let us have a look.